Parole Attorney

Apply Now
Open Date: Nov 15, 2024
Position Type: Attorney Full-Time
Job Vacancy #: PDS-2024-19
Location: 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003

About The Job

PDS Overview:

The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees. PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of liberty in criminal, delinquency, and mental health legal matters in the local District of Columbia legal system but who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation. PDS’s approximately 200 attorneys, social workers, investigators, and administrative and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s Parole Division is located at 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at the Public Defender Service is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will. 

Division Overview:

This position is in the Parole Division of the Public Defender Service, which provides legal representation to parolees in the District of Columbia and those who are committed and detained in the District of Columbia Jail and CCA/Correctional Treatment Facility. The Parole Division represents alleged supervised release/parole violators throughout the revocation process, probable cause hearings, and final revocation hearings before the United States Parole Commission. The Division files parole-related civil actions in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia and the United States District Court to protect clients' Constitutional and statutory rights.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Chief of the Parole Division, the staff attorney will represent parolees in revocation matters before the U.S. Parole Commission, coordinating with PDS trial attorneys and social workers when needed. The attorney will report and track cases through the PDS case management system, provide monthly case statistics, and respond to ‘duty day’ requests from parolees and community actors. The parole staff attorney may supervise clinical law students directly representing parole clients in the revocation process.

Required Qualifications:

J.D. or equivalent degree by May 2024 
+ Excellent research, writing, and oral persuasion skills. 
+ Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income populations, preferably to serving criminalized populations as a public defender or parole attorney.
 +Willingness to practice in a holistic team defense model of advocacy. 
 + Membership in the District of Columbia Bar or eligibility to apply for admission to the D.C. Bar at the time you submit your application.  (See D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 46(b)(1). D.C. Bar membership or eligibility to apply for admission to the D.C. Bar should be specifically addressed in the cover letter.)
 


 

Preferred Qualifications:

Fluency in Spanish or a second language is desirable.

Number of vacancies:

1

Pay Series:

PDS-11/12/13 (GS-11/12/13 Equivalent)

Compensation:

Starting Salary Range $83,830 - $112,015 

Benefits:

PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at the Public Defender Service is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will. 

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit (1) a cover letter; (2) a resume that includes a list of three references (name, address, telephone number, and a statement of how each reference can evaluate your skills); (3) a legal writing sample, preferably a brief or other advocacy piece; and (4) an unofficial law school transcript or list of courses and grades*.

Submit your application materials as a consolidated PDF where indicated. Although this position announcement is open until filled, the first review of applications will be on December 2, 2024.

*Finalists must provide an official law school transcript before employment.

Apply Now

Disclaimer

The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization; governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees, PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 275 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s main office is located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will.

PDS is an E-Verify participating agency. Please see the Right to Work Poster and the E-Verify Participation Poster for more information.

 

PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.